Some evenings feel calm, but space tells another story. This weekend, the universe reminds us how active it truly is. A huge asteroid, almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower, is heading for a close pass by our planet — not to strike but to slip past at an eyebrow-raising distance.
Large asteroid to zoom past Earth on Friday
The asteroid, known as 387746 (2003 MH4), is enormous. It measures around 335 metres wide, or 1,100 feet. That’s roughly the size of a 100-storey skyscraper. It is expected to fly past Earth on 24 May at 4:07 PM IST (10:37 UTC). Though there’s no danger of impact, astronomers are watching it closely.
The rock comes from the Apollo group of asteroids. These asteroids follow paths that cross Earth’s orbit. 2003 MH4 is racing through space at 30,060 kilometres per hour. That’s fast enough to circle the planet nearly once an hour.
Its size and approach make it a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). Any object over 140 metres wide that comes within 7.5 million kilometres is labelled a PHA. This asteroid will pass by at about 6.67 million kilometres — or 17 times the Moon’s distance from Earth.
Why the orbit is still a worry
Though 2003 MH4 won’t hit Earth this time, its orbit is concerning. Apollo asteroids can shift over time, sometimes changing course unexpectedly. These changes can happen due to gravity or solar energy.
One known cause is the Yarkovsky effect. This happens when sunlight heats an asteroid and causes tiny nudges in direction. Over time, even a small push could send an asteroid toward Earth.
If an asteroid of this size ever hit us, the results would be devastating. It could release energy equal to thousands of nuclear bombs. Cities could be wiped out. Fires, earthquakes, and tsunamis could follow. A cloud of dust could block sunlight for months. Scientists call this effect an “impact winter” — where crops die and climate suffers.
NASA keeps an eye on the skies
NASA is already tracking this asteroid through its Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The team watches thousands of objects like 2003 MH4 for signs of danger.
This Friday’s pass is not a threat but a reminder. While the sky may look peaceful, space has plans of its own. For now, Earth is safe — but the universe doesn’t sleep.
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